Retaining device

ABSTRACT

An inventive retaining device which can be adjusted in three spatial directions, in particular for fastening a first component to a second component, includes a first plate, which can be fixedly connected to the second component, as well as a second plate, which can be adjusted in a first spatial direction relative to the first plate, and a third plate, which can be adjusted in a second spatial direction relative to the second plate and a centering pin, which can be fixedly connected to the first component and can be adjusted in a third spatial direction relative to the third plate. The inventive retaining device allows a particularly flexible regulation of tolerances and facilitates an assembly and/or disassembly of the components.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of German application No. 10 2008 003 779.6 filed Jan. 10, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a retaining device, which can be adjusted in three spatial directions, for the detachable attachment of a first component to a second component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the event that components have to be mounted exactly to one another, adjustable retaining devices for balancing out tolerances are essential. It is a challenge, particularly in the case of modules with several components, to be able to harmoniously balance out the respective tolerances thereof, in order for instance to be able to prevent a distortion or deformation of the components.

Also when attaching lining parts, e.g. in the inside fittings of means of transportation or in the case of the exterior lining for larger devices, like for instance medical diagnosis and imaging devices, it is necessary to be able to align the lining parts precisely relative to the components to be lined in each instance. As a result, in addition to the afore-cited advantages, an optically significant impression which remains the same despite tolerances during production can also be achieved in the case of a customer for instance.

The utility model DE 200 16 889 U1 discloses a plate unit which can be adjusted in the x/y direction, with which wall lining elements can be attached to a wall. The plate unit here includes a base plate which can be adjusted in the x-direction and a retaining plate which can be adjusted in the y-direction.

When attaching lining parts to components to be lined for instance, attention should not only be paid to the alignment of the lining parts relative to the component to be lined. Similarly, the lining parts must be alignable relative to one another so that equal clearance can be achieved between the lining parts. In this way, adjustability in two spatial directions is often not sufficiently flexible. Also with assemblies made of several components, connecting elements must fulfill considerable requirements in terms of adjustability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to specify a retaining device, which allows two components to be easily connected with a high degree of flexibility.

The object is achieved by a retaining device according to the claims. An inventive retaining device which can be adjusted in three spatial directions, in particular to attach a first component to a second component, includes a first plate here, which can be fixedly connected to the second component, and a second plate, which can be adjusted in a first spatial direction relative to the first plate, and a third plate, which can be adjusted in a second spatial direction relative to the second plate and a centering pin, which can be fixedly connected to the first component and can be adjusted in a third spatial direction relative to the third plate.

A retaining device of this type allows two components to be easily connected to one another in a detachable and highly flexible fashion. Each spatial direction can be individually adjusted irrespective of the other, thereby facilitating assembly. The retaining device is embodied here in a compact and thus space-saving fashion. The components can thus be adjusted in a local fashion in all spatial directions. A laborious adjustment to adjusting sites which are remote from each other is avoided as a result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and details of the present invention result from the exemplary embodiments described below and with reference to the drawings. The cited examples do not represent any restriction to the invention, in which;

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a first plate of the inventive retaining device,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a second plate of the inventive retaining device,

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a third plate of the inventive retaining device,

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a perspective view of an inventive retaining device,

FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an additional perspective representation of an inventive retaining device,

FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of an additional advantageous embodiment of a first plate of the inventive retaining device,

FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary use of an inventive retaining device for attaching lining parts to a magnet unit and/or a frame of a magnet unit of a magnetic resonance device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a first plate 10 of the inventive retaining device. The first plate 10 in this embodiment includes two long holes 11 a and 11 b aligned in a first spatial direction, e.g. in the vertical (y-direction) for the adjustable attachment of the first plate 10 to a second plate 20.

A single long hole 11 a, 11 b possibly with a certain anti-twist plate device is also adequate. More than two long holes 11 a, 11 b may however also be provided. A higher number of long holes increases the stability but at the same time reduces the user-friendliness and increases the amount of space needed, since more handles are needed for attaching the first plate 10 to the second plate 20. In order to determine an optimal number of long holes 11 a, 11 b, the respective advantages and disadvantages are weighed out depending on requirements.

The first plate 10 also includes a first recess 12, through which a centering pin 50 can be plugged, such that the centering pin 50 and possibly at least parts of fastening means 36 have play in all spatial directions. I.e. a radial diameter of the first recess 12 of the first plate 10 is greater than a radial diameter of the centering pin 50 and possibly parts of fastening means 36 resting on the centering pin 50. The first recess 12 of the first plate 10 ensures that the retaining device can, as far as possible, use the full flexibility predefined by the long holes 11 a, 11 b, 21 a, 21 b of the first and second plate in the first and second spatial direction, without being hindered by the centering pin 50. Possible embodiments of a suitable centering pin 50 are subsequently described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

The first plate 10 also includes, advantageously suited to each long hole 21 a, 21 b of the second plate 20, a second recess 13 a, 13 b, which provides the fastening means 26 for the detachable fixing of the second plate 20 relative to the third plate 30 with play at least in the direction of long holes of the second plate. This is advantageous above all if fastening means, e.g. are arranged for accessibility reasons such that they would restrict the flexibility of the adjustability of the retaining device without a second recess 13 a, 13 b.

In the example in FIG. 1, the first plate 10 includes two second recesses 13 a and 13 b, which are embodied here as one single recess together with the first recess 12. It is likewise conceivable to embody the individual recesses separately from one another.

The first plate 10 advantageously includes counter bearings 14 a, 14 b which are arranged flush with each long hole 11 a, 11 b in order to hold the adjusting means 17 a, 17 b so as to adjust the second plate 20 relative to the first plate 10 in the first spatial direction (here: y-direction). The counter bearings 14 a, 14 b are attached directly to the first plate 10 for instance, for example welded or glued thereto. Counter bearings 14 a, 14 b of this type are then particularly meaningful if, over the course of time, a drop in the first component relative to the second component is to be expected, e.g. if damping layers for sound or oscillation damping for instance are integrated in the connection of the two components, which deflect and/or settle over time. In such a case, with the aid of the adjusting means 17 a, 17 b, the drop and/or deflection or settling can be balanced out particularly easily. The adjusting means 17 a, 17 b are described more precisely with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Other arrangements for a counter bearing and adjusting means of this type are also conceivable. A further example is subsequently described with the aid of FIG. 6.

To attach the first plate 10 to the second component, the first plate 10 in this exemplary embodiment also has clearance holes 15, e.g. produced by means of drilling, lasing or water beam cutting or as threaded holes, through which screws or rivets can be guided for instance in order to fasten the first plate 10 to the second component in a conventional fashion. Alternatively, the first plate 10 can also be welded and/or glued, possibly also soldered to the second component, or the first plate 10 can also be embodied as part of the second component.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a second plate 20 of the inventive retaining device. The second plate 20 in this embodiment includes two long holes 21 a, 21 b aligned in a second spatial direction (x-direction) for the adjustable attachment of the second plate 20 to a third plate 30.

Similar to the first plate 10, depending on requirements, only one long hole 21 a, 21 b or more than two long holes 21 a, 21 b can also be provided here.

The second plate 20 also includes a first recess 22, through which a centering pin 50 can be plugged, such that the centering pin 50 has play in all spatial directions. I.e. a radial diameter of the first recess 22 of the second plate 20 is greater than a radial diameter of the centering pin 50. The first recess 12 of the first plate 10 ensures that the retaining device can as far as possible use the full flexibility which is predetermined by the long holes of the first and second plates 11 a,11 b,21 a,21 b in the first and second spatial direction without being hindered by the centering pin 50. Possible embodiments of a suitable centering pin 50 are described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

Furthermore, the second plate 20, consistent with each long hole 11 a, 11 b of the first plate 10, has a clearance hole 23 a, 23 b embodied as a threaded hole or borehole for instance. With the aid of fastening means such as screws and screw nuts for instance, the first plate 10 can be detachably connected to the second plate 20 through the long holes 11 a, 11 b and the clearance holes 23 a, 23 b.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a third plate 30 of the inventive retaining device. The third plate 30 includes a first recess 32, through which the centering pin 50 can be plugged, such that the centering pin 50 only has play in the third spatial direction (z-direction). I.e. the first recess 32 of the third plate 30 is selected such that the centering pin 50 is essentially form-fit, without it being possible for resistance to be passed therethrough. Furthermore, the third plate 30, consistent with each long hole 21 a, 21 b of the second plate 20, includes a clearance hole 34 a, 34 b which is embodied as a borehole or threaded hole and is generated by means of cutting for instance. The fastening means such as screws and screw nuts for instance allow the second plate 20 to be detachably connected to the third plate 30 by means of the long holes 21 a, 21 b and the clearance holes 34 a, 34 b.

The first recess 32 of the third plate 30 advantageously has at least one depression 37 on the side facing the first component, in other words on the side from which the centering pin 50 guides through the third plate 30. The depression 37 facilitates a mounting of the centering pin 50 in the first recess 32 of the third plate 30 and as a result a centering of the component 1, e.g. during assembly or service.

The third plate 30 also advantageously includes a second recess 33 a, 33 b at each clearance hole 23 a, 23 b of the second plate 20, said recess providing the fastening means for detachably fixing the first plate 10 relative to the second plate 20 with play at least in the second spatial direction. This is advantageous above all if fastening means, e.g. for accessibility reasons, are arranged such that they would restrict the flexibility of the adjustability of the retaining device without a second recess 33 a, 33 b.

In the example in FIG. 3, the third plate 30 is shown with two second recesses 33 a and 33 b, which are embodied as outwardly open long holes which are aligned in the second spatial direction. Closed forms for the second recesses 33 a, 33 b of the third plate 30 are also naturally conceivable for instance.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show schematic perspective representations of an inventive retaining device 100 including a first plate 10, a second plate 20, a third plate 30 and a centering pin 50, as well as fastening means 16 for detachably fastening the first plate 10 to the second plate 20, fastening means 26 for detachably fastening the second plate 20 to the third plate 30 and fastening means 36 a, 36 b for detachably fixing the centering pin 50 relative to the third plate 30. The retaining device 100 in this example connects a first component 101 to a second component 102.

As apparent in FIG. 4, the first, second and third spatial direction are at right angles to one another in each instance. This allows a particularly intuitive adjustment, particularly if the spatial directions are aligned to the main directions, height, width, depth of the first and/or second component. Furthermore, the first, second and third plates 10, 20, 30 are arranged in parallel to one another, as a result of which the retaining device 100 can be embodied in a particularly compact fashion. In particular, the plates 10, 20, 30 are arranged in the planes which are spanned by the first and second spatial direction.

The fastening means 16 fix the first plate 10 through the long holes 11 a, 11 b of the first plate 10 and the clearance holes 23 a, 23 b of the second plate 20 to the second plate 20. For instance, the clearance holes 23 a, 23 b are embodied as threaded holes, in which the fastening means 16 engage, e.g. in the form of screws.

Alternatively, the second plate 20 can, instead of the clearance holes 23 a, 23 b for instance, include inter alia threaded pins, which are guided through the long holes 11 a, 11 b of the first plate 10 in order to fix the second plate 20 to the first plate 10, for instance using screw nuts to hold the first plate 10 relative to the second plate 20. If necessary, flat washers and/or retaining rings can naturally also be used.

If the fastening means 16 are easily detached, the first plate 10, provided the long holes 11 a, 11 b allow it, can be moved in the first spatial direction relative to the second plate 20 into a desired position, without the first and second plates 10, 20 being able “to come apart”.

As already mentioned in FIG. 1, counter bearings 14 a, 14 b are advantageously arranged on the first plate 10 for retaining the adjusting means 17 a,17 b,17 c for adjusting the second plate 20 relative to the first plate 10 in the first spatial direction, in particular for a subsequent readjustment in this spatial direction, e.g. after positioning the components relative to one another. To this end, the adjusting means 17 a, 17 b, 17 c e.g. are connected to the second plate 20 by way of the fastening means 16 and secured to the counter bearing 14 a, 14 b of the first plate 10 such that the second plate 20 can be adjusted in the first spatial direction relative to the first plate 10 by way of the adjusting means 17 a, 17 b, 17 c and the counter bearing 14 a, 14 b, if the fastening means 16 were at least detached easily.

The adjusting means 17 a,17 b,17 c are embodied for instance in the form of eyebolts 17 a, 17 b or such like, through which the fastening means 16 are guided such that the fastening means 16 and thus the second plate 20 is fixedly connected thereto. With the aid of adjusting means 17 c arranged above the counter bearing 14 a, 14 b, the eye bolts 17 a, 17 b and thus the second plate 20 can be adjusted in the first spatial direction relative to the first plate 10. Screw nuts, if necessary with flat washers and/or retaining rings, or self-locking screw nuts or such like are considered as adjusting means 17 c for instance, which allow the eye bolts 17 a, 17 b to be adjusted in terms of height.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIGS. 4 and 5 (like already in FIG. 1), the counter bearings 14 a, 14 b are advantageously arranged so close to the long holes 11 a, 11 b of the first plate 10 that the adjusting means 17 a, 17 b, 17 c do not protrude beyond the upper edge of the first plate. The retaining device 100 can thus be embodied in a particularly compact fashion. One alternative embodiment of advantageous counter bearings 14′ is subsequently described with reference to FIG. 6.

Fastening means 26 for the detachable fixing of the second plate 20 to the third plate 30 are essentially designed in a similar fashion to the fastening means 16 for the detachable fixing of the first plate 10 to the second plate 20. In order to avoid repetitions, reference is made to the above embodiments relating to the fastening means 16. In FIG. 4, in order to illustrate a typical position of a long hole 21 b of the second plate 20 to the associated clearance hole 34 b of the third plate 30, the retaining device is shown in the lower region without the fastening means 26.

If the fastening means 26 are easily detached, the second plate 20, provided the long holes 21 a, 21 b allow it, can be moved into a desired position in the second spatial direction relative to the third plate 30.

The centering pin 50 is fixedly connected to the first component 101, for instance screwed, welded or laminated thereto.

The centering pin 50 advantageously has a centering cone 51 on its end facing away from the first component 101, i.e. the centering pin tapers at least in sections at this end. This facilitates the mounting of the centering pin 50 in the first recess 32 of the third plate 30. Furthermore, the depression 37 of the third plate 30 together with the centering cone 51 of the centering pin 50 easily allows an assembly offset of several millimeters e.g. ±5 mm, to be easily compensated. This also facilitates the assembly.

The centering pin 50 also advantageously includes an indentation 52, which is embodied as a relief groove for instance. If the centering pin 50 is guided through the first recess 32 of the third plate 30, the indentation 52 firstly engages in the third plate 30 and thus provides feedback relating to the successful insertion of the centering pin 50 in the third plate 30. The indentation 52 similarly ensures against the first and second component 101 and 102 falling apart after disassembly of the fastening means 36 b. Particularly in the event of a fixed second component 102 and a first component 101 held against the second component 102 by at least one retaining device 100, the indentation 52 ensures that the first component 101 does not fall down after the fastening means 36 b have been detached.

Fastening means 36 a, 36 b are arranged after the retaining device 100 between the first component 101 and the retaining device 100, as well as on the side of the centering pin 50 facing toward the second component 102. I.e. the fastening means 36 a, 36 b are arranged on the centering pin 50 in the third spatial direction in front of and behind the third plate 30 and allow the centering pin 50 to be detachably fixed and adjusted relative to the third plate 30. The fastening means 36 a can be moved to a desired position on the centering pin 50 for a preadjustment of a tolerance in the z-direction. As a result, the fastening means 36 a also functions in particular as a type of stop in the z-direction during assembly of the first component 101. The fastening means 36 b allows the third plate 30 and thus the retaining device 100 to be fixed in the z-direction relative to the fastening means 36 a.

The fastening means 36 a, 36 b are advantageously embodied as wheel screws for instance. This allows the fastening means 36 a, 36 b to be tightened and/or released and thus the centering pin 50 to be fixed and/or released in the retaining device 100 without a tool, in particular by hand. To this end, the centering pin 50 advantageously includes a thread which is suited to the wheel screws.

It is also advantageous for at least the centering pin 50 and the fastening means 36 a, 36 b and possibly the third plate 30 to be manufactured from materials, in particular different materials, which prevent the parts from fraying. Possible materials for this are for instance brass or an aluminum-bronze alloy, e.g. for the centering pin 50 and high-grade steel for the fastening means 36 a, 36 b. A longer interference-free operation is thus ensured and otherwise necessary corresponding lubricants can be dispensed with.

When the first component 101 is mounted to the second component 103, the retaining device 100 can firstly advantageously be fastened to the second component 102 and if necessary a first preadjustment of the retaining device 100 is carried out. The first component 101, to which the centering pin 50 was fastened, would only then need to be inserted and fixed in the desired position using the fastening means 36. A precise adjustment can then be performed.

Both the plates 10, 10′, 20, 30 of the retaining device and also the centering pin 50 can be produced in a cost-effective fashion, for instance by laser or water beam cutting and/or (turn) milling.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of an additional embodiment of a first plate 10′ of the inventive retaining device with a further conceivable arrangement for a counterbearing 14′ for retaining adjusting means 17 a′,17 b′ for (re-)adjustment of the second plate 20 relative to the first plate 10′ in the first spatial direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the first plate 10′, like in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, has two long holes 11 a′, 11 b′, through which the first plate 10′ can be detachably fixed to the second plate (not shown) by means of fastening means 16′, as well as first and second recesses 12′,13 a′, 13 b′ which are combined to form a recess. The efficiency of these parts is similar to the afore-described example in FIG. 1.

Also in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the second plate (not shown) is in turn connected to the adjusting means 17 a′, 17 b′ by way of the fastening means 16′. A separate adjusting means 17 a′, 17 b′ is however not provided here for each fastening means 16′ but instead all fastening means 16′ are connected to a single adjusting means 17 a′. The adjusting means 17 a′ is embodied here in the manner of a bracket and is secured to a single counter bearing 14′ by way of adjusting means 17 b′. In a simple embodiment, the adjusting means 17 b′ is in turn embodied as screws, wheel screws or such like, which is guided for instance from above through the counter bearing 14′, and engages for instance in a threaded bore of the adjusting means 17 a′ in order to be able to adjust this and thus the second plate relative to the counter bearing 14′ and thus the first plate 10′ in the first spatial direction if the fastening means 16′ are at least easily detached. The counter bearing 14′ is arranged here advantageously such that the forces acting on the counter bearing 14′ by means of the adjusting means 17 a′, 17 b′ are largely distributed in a symmetrical fashion.

Compared with the embodiment in FIG. 1, this embodiment is advantageous in that with a readjustment which need only be adjusted at one site, this reduces the effort again.

If larger components are to be connected to one another, several retaining devices may also be used. One example of this is shown in FIG. 7. The assembly of a front and/or rear lining 201 of a magnetic resonance device 200 to the magnet unit 202 thereof is shown in a perspective view as an exemplary application.

A frame 203 is usually arranged on the magnet unit 202, on which additional components can be easily fastened without the risk of damage to the magnet unit 202.

Comparatively few fastening points are sufficient to fasten the front and/or rear lining 201 to the frame 203, which are arranged symmetrically on the frame 203 for instance. Two to four or more per front and/or rear lining 201 are generally sufficient for instance. A retaining device 100, e.g. is fastened to each fastening point, e.g. to the first plate 10 in each instance, to the frame 203 e.g. in the afore-described manner. In line herewith, centering pins 50 are fastened to the front and/or rear lining 201, as already described above. The front and/or rear lining 201 is then mounted with the centering pins 50 into the third plate 30 of the respective retaining device 100 in each instance and can then be easily moved into the desired position by adjusting the retaining devices 100.

The compact design of the retaining device 100 already enables an adjustment in order to balance out relatively large tolerances in the case of a relatively small volume. In the example shown of fastening a front and/or rear lining 201 to a frame 203 of a magnet unit 201 of a magnetic resonance device 200, tolerances of several millimeters up to a few centimeters, e.g. ±5 mm in the x- and y-direction and ±10 mm in the z-direction can be balanced out in the case of a volume of the retaining device of below 75×75×50 mm, whereby the size of the retaining device naturally correlates with an achievable tolerance compensation.

With a use of the retaining device in a medical field, in particular in connection with magnetic resonance devices, details relating to the material selection are to be considered in order to be able to rule out a potential risk to the patient and/or functionality of the devices. For instance, no magnetic materials are to be used in the vicinity of the magnetic resonance devices. Conventional tools, are e.g. high grade steel, brass or other metal alloys, plastics and such like. 

1.-18. (canceled)
 19. A retaining device adjustable in three spatial directions for fastening a first component to a second component, comprising: a first plate that is fixedly connected to the second component; a second plate that is adjusted relative to the first plate in a first spatial direction; a third plate that is adjusted relative to the second plate in a second spatial direction; and a centering pin that is fixedly connected to the first component and adjusted relative to the third plate in a third spatial direction.
 20. The retaining device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the three spatial directions are perpendicular to one another.
 21. The retaining device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first plate, the second plate, and the third plate are parallel to one another.
 22. The retaining device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first plate comprises a long hole that is aligned in the first spatial direction for adjustably fastening the first plate to the second plate.
 23. The retaining device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first plate comprises a first recess for plugging the centering pin that is functioned in the three spatial directions.
 24. The retaining device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the second plate is detachable fixable to the third plate by a fastening device.
 25. The retaining device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the first plate comprises a second recess for plugging the fastening device that is functioned in the first and the second spatial directions.
 26. The retaining device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the first recess and the second recess of the first plate are a single recess.
 27. The retaining device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first plate comprises a counter bearing for retaining an adjusting device to facilitate a readjustment of the second plate to the first plate in the first spatial direction.
 28. The retaining device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the second plate comprises a long hole that is aligned in the second spatial direction for adjustably fastening the second plate to the third plate.
 29. The retaining device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the second plate comprises a recess for plugging the centering pin that is functioned in the three spatial directions.
 30. The retaining device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the third plate comprises a first recess for plugging the centering pin that is functioned in the three spatial directions.
 31. The retaining device as claimed in claim 30, wherein the first plate is detachably fixable to the second plate by a fastening device
 32. The retaining device as claimed in claim 31, wherein the third plate comprises a second recess for plugging the fastening means that is functioned in the second spatial direction.
 33. The retaining device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the first recess of the third plate comprises a depression for mounting the centering pin on a side facing the first component.
 34. The retaining device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the centering pin is adjustable in the third spatial direction by a fastening device that is arranged in the third spatial direction in front of and behind the third plate.
 35. The retaining device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the centering pin comprises a centering cone on an end facing the first component.
 36. The retaining device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the centering pin comprises an indentation for securely locking in the third plate. 